Heavy gunfire heard at protest in Sudan's capital

Heavy gunfire was heard at a protest outside the defense ministry in Sudan's capital city Khartoum on Tuesday, according to live broadcast by Arab TV stations.

Both Al-Hadath TV and Al Jazeera broadcast live footage in which heavy gunfire was heard and people were seen running for cover. They said it was an attempt by security forces to disperse the demonstrators.

There were reports that at least two government soldiers were killed, but it was not immediately possible to verify.

Sudan has been rocked by months of small but persistent protests that were sparked by bread price rises and cash shortages. The demonstrations later turned against President Omar al-Bashir, a former paratrooper who had been in office since 1989.

A burning tire blocks the road during a demonstration in Omdurman, March 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

The protests escalated on Saturday, when protestors, trying to push the country's armed forces to side with them, marched towards a compound in the center of the capital housing the defense ministry as well as Bashir's residence and the country's security headquarters and camped out there.

For the first time in some three months of unrest, a group of prominent opposition leaders joined protesters outside the defense ministry in Khartoum.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged all parties in Sudan to "exercise utmost restraint and avoid violence", and called for the release of detained protesters, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Sudanese protesters surround a passing army vehicle as they rally in the area of the military headquarters in Khartoum, April 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

The Sudanese government is also urged to create a conducive environment for a solution to the current situation. 

The interior minister, Bishara Jumaa, told parliament on Monday that six people had been killed on Saturday and Sunday in disturbances in the capital, and one in the western region of Darfur.

He also said that 15 civilians and 42 members of the security forces were injured in the protests and 2,496 protesters were arrested in Khartoum.

(REUTERS)